Importance of firestop in mission critical facilities Milan, 8th November 2018

Jessica Bello Salguero

Introduction

What is firestop and why is it especially important when designing cable runs in critical

facilities?

How can firestop affect:

- server contamination from dust during cabling changes?

- spread of airborne disease in a hospital?

- patient recovery time as a result of noise?

What do designers need to understand?

To answer these questions we must first understand some basics…

Fire statistics in Italy

Every year

• 30-50.000 fires

• 152 deaths (in 2012)

• 200 M€ in property damage

More than 6 out of 10 civilian deaths caused by fire were due to fires in buildings

A fire department responds to a fire every 44 seconds

Sources:

Nucleo Investigativo Antincendi Roma, „‟Gli incendi di natura elettrica‟‟, 2017

Corpo Nazionale Vigili del Fuoco, „‟Statistiche sulle vittime di incendi ed esplosioni‟‟, 2012

Why passive fire protection is so important for data centers?

7.000 €/min

Sources:

Research published by Ponemon institute in Dec 2013

John R Hall report – Issues Mar 2012

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Report

Most non-home fires (78 %) begin with electronic equipment

Fires in Data Centers

More recent on July 26th

A nearly-complete AWS (Amazon Web Services) data center was on fire for 8 hours.

It was comprised of seven levels, three above and four below ground, where the fire started.

Around 300 workers were on site. 5 men died. 50 people were injured.

Why Smoke & Fire are key concerns?

• 3/4 of all fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation

• Approximately 57% of people killed in fires are not in the

room of the fire‟s origin

• 47% of survivors caught in a fire could not see more than

3.5 metres.

• Smoke travels 0.6 - 2.2 meters per second under fire

conditions

Sources:

Hall, Jr. John R. NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA. “Burns, Toxic Gases, and other Hazards”.

NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 8-1P. Pg. 8-17

NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 1-1P. Pg.1-15.

Estimate based upon ceiling jet velocity calculations for typical ceiling heights and heat release rates.

We can’t rely on a single action to keep people and assets safe

The balanced

approach to

Fire Protection

The Elements of Compartmentation

Fire walls Fire floors

The spread of fire can be restricted

by dividing a building into separate

compartments with fire-resistive

walls and floors increasing the

availability of escape routes for

occupants.

Compartmentation protects

escape routes such as corridors

or stairs.

What is Firestop?

• Firestop systems (if installed

correctly), help restore the integrity of

a floor or wall as it is penetrated by an

object or joint and resist the spread of

smoke and fire.

• Firestop is part of the life safety plan

in building structures.

Firestop required by codes and building regulations

Codes and standards by location

• Codes in most countries require firestopping to be

tested, designed and installed per a testing standard.

• Firestop systems are tested according to international

standards such as:

Europe: EN 1363, DIN 4102

USA: ASTM E 814 / UL 1479

Canada: CAN/ULC S-115

• A successful test yields an approval or firestop listing.

1. Assembly is placed on furnace. 2. Assembly is exposed to fire test.

3. Assembly is subjected to hose

stream test (if required)

4. Assembly results after hose stream.

Steps in fire test procedure

Officially approved systems

The ETA (European Technical Assessment) is

the official document granted to a manufacturer

based on third-party tests.

Officially approved systems

It contains the field of application consisting of:

1. Base material (a fire-rated wall or floor assembly)

2. A penetrating item or items passing through an

opening in the assembly

3. The materials designed to help prevent the spread of

fire through the openings.

Only Firestop Systems

have ratings!

What is the average hourly rating of any firestop product?

ZERO

How do you address this application?

Not all firestop applications are tested

What if the site condition deviates from tested design?

• Based upon interpolations of previously tested firestop systems (referenced on the form)

• Limited only to the specific conditions upon which it was rendered.

• Site specific; Not transferrable

• If no related testing data available, the EJ is unlikely.

Typical Engineering Judgment Conditions:

• Annular space larger/smaller than tested

• Irregular hole shape

• Hole shape different than tested…

In absence of tested system: Engineering Judgements

Airflow mitigation

Data Power Cooling Other

Data Cabling Electric Cabling Piping/Ducts Fire, Gas

Suppression

Emergency

Lighting

Access & Security

Control Cabling

Creates largest volume of openings through wall and floor assemblies

Present unique challenge due to continuous cable re-penetration

Highest risk

Cable Repenetration increases risks to people and assets

Pre-engineered firestop eliminates the risk of human error

• Traditional systems are also the most often incorrectly installed

• Inspection failures are common yet don’t catch all incorrect installations

• When repenetrating, there is lack of coordination resulting in wide-open penetrations

• Higher risks to fire protection

• Increase energy costs

• Cable pathway devices reduce risk

• Correct firestop, built in

• Easy to repenetrate, accommodates future cables

New construction Renovation Solution

Solutions should fit application needs

Solution Performance Requirements

Ensure life safety and property loss

prevention

Correct installation

Re-penetrability (MAC work)

Ease of inspection

Prevent airborne disease

transmission

Prevent dust contamination

Room pressurization

Reduce cooling and heating costs

Minimum Code compliance for firestop

system rating Traditional Firestop System

(generates dust and greater potential to human error)

Pre-formed firestop system

(fiber-free for easy cable changes)

Clearly convey your design intent

• Mandate cable pathway

devices in Master specs

• Draw cable pathways devices

on Datacom or Telecom

details

• Carry out installation with Hilti

Documentation Manager for

easy life during inspection

The firestop journey

3 things to remember

• Fire & Smoke are devastating occurrence that happen more often than we think

• Designers should consider maintenance and future cable capacity

• Reach out to us for support!

Jessica Bello Salguero Global Product Manager

Hilti AG

+41 78 688 05 80

jessica.bellosalguero@hilti.com

Thank you